May 2020

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation Announces 2020 Scholarship Awards

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce $26,750 in scholarship awards for students pursuing academic degrees in career fields that support Fort HealthCare’s mission. Each of the following scholarships is made possible by generous donations in recognition of the important roles of health care to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in the communities served by Fort HealthCare. Thank you to each of our benefactors and the hundreds of people who donated memorial contributions to make these scholarships possible.

The Florence Falk Nursing Scholarship was established in 2019 in memory of Florence Falk’s nursing career at Fort HealthCare. The first three recipients of this scholarship are: Laura Garcia, Jefferson (Nursing, $750); Makinzie Luedke, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $750); Anne Strieter, Cambridge (Nursing, $750); Lea Voelz, Watertown (Nursing, $750).

The Wanda L. Draeger Nursing Scholarship was established in 2018 in memory of Wanda Draeger’s nursing career at Fort HealthCare. A scholarship was awarded to Tylynn Vidar, Jefferson (Nursing, $1,000).

The Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt Scholarship is awarding twelve scholarships to nursing students who are Fort HealthCare employees. In its sixth year, the following people have been awarded scholarships: Abigail Bare, Fort Atkinson (Nurse Practitioner, $1,000); Colleen Buedler, Watertown (Nursing,

$1,000); Heather Freudenberger, Elkhorn (Nursing Leadership, $1,000); Laura Garcia, Jefferson (Nursing, $1,000); Laura Jacobson, Jefferson (Nursing, $1,000); Sheryl Krause, Cottage Grove (Nursing Leadership, $1,000); Makinzie Luedke, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $1,000); Morgan Stendel, Johnson Creek (Nursing, $1,000); Margaret Stewart, Janesville (Nursing Leadership, $1,000); Alyssa Toczyski, Johnson Creek (Family Nurse Practitioner, $1,000); Lea Voelz, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $1,000); Brittany Walling, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $1,000).

The Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams Scholarship was established in recognition of the important role Fort HealthCare employees play in providing excellent care and supporting the medical staff. In its eighth year, the following scholarships have been awarded: Greg Dempsey, Jefferson (Sustainability Management, $1,000); Roberta Farnam, Delafield (Healthcare Administration, $1,000); Rylee Wolfe, Watertown (Medical Laboratory Science, $1,000).

The Dr. Tom and Mary Nordland Scholarship was established to thank Fort HealthCare employees for providing excellent care during Dr. Nordland’s career. The third-year recipients are: Rileigh Clark, Jefferson (Radiation Therapy, $500); Stacy Kutz, Fort Atkinson (Business Management, $1,000); Ashlyn Rulis, Whitewater (Orthopedic PT, $500).

The Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship was set up by his parents, Gerrit and

Rebecca Hulstein, to recognize the caregivers who serve people in our community. In its thirteenth year, a 2020 scholarship is awarded to Reyne Kincaid, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $750).

The Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship is awarded to Fort HealthCare employees who are studying nursing. In its fourteenth year, 2020 scholarships are being awarded to: Laura Jacobson, Jefferson (Nursing, $1,000); Brittany Walling, Fort Atkinson (Nursing, $1,000).

The Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarships are awarded to students studying medicine or nursing and are in the second year of school or beyond. Established in 1991, the 2020 recipients are: Abigail Bare, Fort Atkinson (Nurse Practitioner, $1,000); Sheryl Krause, Cottage Grove (Nursing Leadership, $1,000); Alyssa Toczyski, Johnson Creek (Family Nurse Practitioner, $1,000).

Congratulations to each of Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 2020 scholarship recipients on behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors and the generous contributors who make these scholarships possible.

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Foundation NewsBonnie’s Retirement Gift to FHC Employees

Thank you to Bonnie Wiegel, Radiology, for donating the new bike rack at the hospital emergency entrance. Bonnie is retiring from Fort HealthCare after 23 years of service. Her gift is to thank everyone who contributed to a fulfilling career and in appreciation for everything Fort HealthCare does to promote wellness. Bonnie is known for her kind heart and caring for everyone she meets. She also enjoyed bicycling to work from Jefferson when the weather allowed. We can think of Bonnie every time we see the line of bikes at the emergency entrance. Wishing Bonnie all the best as her two wheels take her on new adventures.

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce $26,750 in scholarships for 21 employees.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:

Abigail Bare, Fort Medical GroupColleen Buedler, Wound & Edema CenterRileigh Clark, Environmental Services Greg Dempsey, Plant ServicesRoberta Farnam, FinanceHeather Freudenberger, Emergency ServicesLaura Garcia, Inpatient ServicesLaura Jacobson, Emergency ServicesReyne Kincaid, Inpatient ServicesSheryl Krause, Emergency ServicesStacy Kutz, Quality & Integrated CareMakinzie Luedke, Emergency ServicesAshlyn Rulis, RehabilitationMorgan Stendel, Emergency Services

Margaret Stewart, Inpatient ServicesAnne Strieter, Emergency ServicesAlyssa Toczyski, Ambulatory SurgeryTylynn Vidar, ObstetricsLea Voelz, Inpatient ServicesBrittany Walling, Behavioral HealthRylee Wolfe, Laboratory

Special thanks to everyone who provides funding for these scholarships: Estelle and Peter Chase, family and friends of Wanda Draeger, family and friends of Florence Falk, Rebecca and Gerrit Hulstein, Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski, Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt, Dr. Tom and Mary Nordland, Dr. Don and Barbara Williams.

Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients

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Fort HealthCare Lifts Restrictions on Elective and Outpatient ProceduresFort HealthCare is lifting the temporary restrictions placed on elective surgery and outpatient procedures due to the COVID-19 virus. The decision follows the release of Governor Evers’ Badger Bounce Back plan for the state. The health system will schedule non-high risk patients for as soon as Monday, May 11. “This is great news for patients who have placed their care plans on hold due to COVID-19,” said President and CEO Mike Wallace. “Our team is ready to deliver safe care to all patients. We continue to follow all Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The American College of Surgeons, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin Department of Health and the Wisconsin Hospital Association safety guidelines.”

Safety protocols put in place regarding care include, but are not limited to:

All individuals entering Fort HealthCare facilities, including team members, will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and temperature monitoring.

All individuals entering Fort HealthCare facilities will be asked to don a cloth face covering. Patients may bring their own face covering or may opt to wear one supplied by the health system if they do not have one.

All care team members will wear surgical masks and protective eye wear, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), at all times when caring for patients.

Visitors will still be prohibited unless they meet exclusion criteria.

Six-foot social distances will be established in public areas such as waiting rooms.

Extra cleaning and disinfection of high-touch, public surface areas will continue.

Infectious patients will continue to be cared for in isolation, away from non-infectious patients.

“We’re able to lift restrictions due to the low COVID-19 transmission rate within our community and all the safety measures we have in place,” said Wallace. “However, our new normal is that we now live with the COVID-19 virus. As people resume activities, we may see a spike in the virus and we will always side on protecting our patients, healthcare workers and community by returning to more restrictive policies and protocols. Fort HealthCare will remain prepared at all times to handle a surge and care for our community and surrounding area.”

Fort HealthCare has always had the safety of patients and employees top of mind, this is showcased in all the accolades the organization has received recently including an “A” rating for safety by the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, the 5-Star ranking in the Medicare Hospital Compare performance measure, a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital award by The Chartis Center for Rural Health and the three year accreditation from the Joint Commission recognizing safe and high quality care.

To remain prepared, Fort HealthCare will maintain a sufficient supply of PPE as well as other resources necessary to care for COVID-19 patients. In addition, the health system will collaborate with local clinics and the Department of Health to continually evaluate incidences and trends of COVID-19 cases within Jefferson County and the surrounding area.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Wallace. “Our services may look a little different in the new normal, but our commitment to our mission and vision remains the same.”

Patients who wish to schedule their elective surgery or outpatient procedure should first visit with their appropriate provider.

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Debra Brunk would like to nominate Matt Ryan of MSP/CNA. Debra says, “I work in the diet clerk office and Matt gets right on helping patients to order meals and is very polite. He is a hard worker and offers to help others. We need that in Food Service. Always helping without having to always call. He is a pleasant young man to work with.”

Andrea Davis of School Nursing would like to nominate Harvey Schave of maintenance for their responsiveness. Andrea says, “I was doing employee temperature screening early one Friday morning at door 15. The upper door was giving off a long beep every time someone entered indicating a low battery. I told Harvey when he came in for the day and within 30 minutes it was changed. Super responsive- Thanks Harvey!!”

Heather Kuhn of Wound and Edema would like to nominate Ami Givens. Heather says, “Showed great team work Helping me clean a room and room a patient without even asking, knowing I was in another room. thanks for keeping the flow of the clinic moving on a busy day.”

Blanket Donations For Dementia Patients

Jan Arndt, who is a former FHC ICU and Ambulatory Surgery employee, has donated patient blankets. The blankets help keep patients with dementia occupied when in unfamiliar settings. Thank you, Jan!

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